Kestril's Rhythms and Groove

This Distillation

I did not ask
for this distillation,

but that is what grief does,
inside me at least,

condensing,
sharpening,

things cast off
or at least buried.

Some things taste brighter
in the concentrating,
while others allow their bitter

undertones to take over.

The only thing I’m sure of
is this distillation

could be medicine or poison,
depending on
when and how I drink it.

Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust on Unsplash

Song Choice: Anti Hero by Taylor Swift

Liner Notes for this Groove: This poem was created for the Friday Writings Prompt at Poets and Storytellers United, Scary Bits. I was inspired by the phrase, “There is something at work in my soul, which I do not understand.” from Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley.

By Rommy Cortez-Driks

Chaotic Beauty

Fifty years is long enough
to pretend
that nature can be commanded.

My hair at least always knew,
resisting orders to stay straight.

My sweetheart knows
I’m something of a sister to a selkie,
with two worlds running in my veins.

Fifty years is too long
to go without embracing
the chaotic beauty of my colors.

It’s too long to deny
the stories that want to flow,
especially when I’ve found
someone who wants to listen to them.